3 Sea-Level Rise (SLR) and Its Implication on Human Security …
37
change. Security is accentuated with a discourse on vulnerability. To some nations
sea-level rise has been considered as security issue such as in small islands developing
states (SIDS). The small island will be threatened of its existence and sovereignty
in the long term by SLR. The fear of whole islands drowned by SLR has raised the
concern of national security.
Freedom from Fear, Freedom from Want, and Freedom
of Dignity
The UN Commission on Human Security (CHS) stated that human security is to
protect the vital core of human lives in ways that enhance human freedoms and human
fulfillment. Human security integrates three freedoms: freedom from fear, freedom
from want, and freedom of dignity. Freedom from fear refers to protecting individuals
from threats directed at their security and physical integrity and includes various
forms. Freedom from wants refers to the protection of individuals so they might
satisfy their basic needs and their economic, social, and environmental aspects of life
and livelihood. And freedom of dignity refers to the promotion of improved quality
of life and enhancement of human welfare that permit people to make choices and
seek opportunities that empower them. Sea-level rise has threatened the fulfillment
of freedom of fear, freedom from want, and freedom of dignity as everyday people
fear that their house is flooded and they suffer the loss of productive land because of
permanent inundation (Table 3.1).
Indeed, human security has evolved and is being transformed from traditional
one which focuses more on state and the obligation of states to protect its citizen
against war or violence to non-traditional threats including environmental, social
and, economic threats. In the broadest sense, human security encompasses human
rights, good governance, access to education, health, freedom from fear, reducing
poverty, and achieving economic growth.
IPCC AR 5 has a special report on human security in Chap. 12. IPCC has suggested
in high agreement that human security will be progressively threatened by climate
change. Climate change will have significant impacts on forms of migration. Furthermore, IPCC stated that mobility is a widely used strategy to maintain livelihood in
response to social and environmental changes.
Table 3.1 Types of security. Adapted from UNDP’ Human Development Report (1994)
Economic security
Persistent poverty and unemployment
Food security
Hunger, famine
Health security
Infectious diseases, unsafe food, and water
Environmental security
Environmental degradation, resources depletion, lack of access to
water, natural disaster, pollution
37
change. Security is accentuated with a discourse on vulnerability. To some nations
sea-level rise has been considered as security issue such as in small islands developing
states (SIDS). The small island will be threatened of its existence and sovereignty
in the long term by SLR. The fear of whole islands drowned by SLR has raised the
concern of national security.
Freedom from Fear, Freedom from Want, and Freedom
of Dignity
The UN Commission on Human Security (CHS) stated that human security is to
protect the vital core of human lives in ways that enhance human freedoms and human
fulfillment. Human security integrates three freedoms: freedom from fear, freedom
from want, and freedom of dignity. Freedom from fear refers to protecting individuals
from threats directed at their security and physical integrity and includes various
forms. Freedom from wants refers to the protection of individuals so they might
satisfy their basic needs and their economic, social, and environmental aspects of life
and livelihood. And freedom of dignity refers to the promotion of improved quality
of life and enhancement of human welfare that permit people to make choices and
seek opportunities that empower them. Sea-level rise has threatened the fulfillment
of freedom of fear, freedom from want, and freedom of dignity as everyday people
fear that their house is flooded and they suffer the loss of productive land because of
permanent inundation (Table 3.1).
Indeed, human security has evolved and is being transformed from traditional
one which focuses more on state and the obligation of states to protect its citizen
against war or violence to non-traditional threats including environmental, social
and, economic threats. In the broadest sense, human security encompasses human
rights, good governance, access to education, health, freedom from fear, reducing
poverty, and achieving economic growth.
IPCC AR 5 has a special report on human security in Chap. 12. IPCC has suggested
in high agreement that human security will be progressively threatened by climate
change. Climate change will have significant impacts on forms of migration. Furthermore, IPCC stated that mobility is a widely used strategy to maintain livelihood in
response to social and environmental changes.
Table 3.1 Types of security. Adapted from UNDP’ Human Development Report (1994)
Economic security
Persistent poverty and unemployment
Food security
Hunger, famine
Health security
Infectious diseases, unsafe food, and water
Environmental security
Environmental degradation, resources depletion, lack of access to
water, natural disaster, pollution